11. Aurora
Aurora
“ I s that an old girlfriend?”
My head popped up from looking at the menu, frowning at the sharp jealousy in Chris’s voice. Lately they had been acting a little too possessive for my liking, making me wonder for the thousandth time if I’d made a mistake moving here with them.
I’d been desperate to get out of St. Louis, and ever since that education conference where I’d run into Frankie, Chicago had been calling to me. I’d been watching job boards and dreaming of moving up north.
I tried to tell myself it was because I really loved the city, but the truth was, part of me was hoping to see Frankie again. A big part of me. I’d been obsessing about running into her ever since we decided to move here. I just couldn’t believe it happened the very first time we ventured out to a restaurant. It was like fate.
Maybe Chris was right to be suspicious.
“Frankie and I were casual friends during our senior year of college,” I said. “We lost touch after graduation, but then I ran into her here in Chicago a few years ago and we hooked up. It was one night. I haven’t seen her since.”
I chanced a glance over to the other side of the restaurant. Frankie had her back to me but the girl she was with seemed perturbed. I wondered what had Barbie’s panties in a bunch, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at her name. She was clearly a princess, and completely wrong for Frankie. I glared in their direction.
“I can’t believe she’s dating that human doll.”
The words were out of my mouth before I realized what was happening.
“Why do you care who she’s dating if you haven’t seen her in years?” Chris asked suspiciously.
“We’re old friends,” I reminded them. “I just think it’s weird that Frankie is dating someone so vapid. And look at the way she’s dressed.”
I could see that Chris was getting irritated at my interest in the other table, so I decided to change the subject.
“Everything looks so good. What are you going to order?”
Chris stared at me for a long moment before going back to the menu. “I think I’m getting the pork chops.”
The rest of the evening passed uneventfully. After our dinner, we headed back up north. Chris and I were temporarily staying with their mother and stepfather who lived in a cute little place in Roger’s Park. Emphasis on ‘little’. It only had two bedrooms and one bathroom for the four of us.
Our plan was to rent a place together, but I was starting to have some doubts about us living together. It was like everything that bothered me about my relationship with Chris was magnified since we got here.
The truth was, I was feeling that way even before we moved to Chicago. I figured things would be better once we moved here, but I had to face the fact that I just didn’t love Chris, not the way I should. I wasn’t going to make a life with them.
As I slipped into the tiny space left on the double bed next to Chris that night, they pulled me closer, banding one arm around my waist. I felt suffocated, moving away as soon as their breathing evened out and they fell asleep. Staring up at the dark ceiling, I resolved to get a job, find an apartment, and figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Pronto. It wasn’t fair to me to stay here knowing that I wanted to break up with Chris.
I waited two days before I texted Frankie, not wanting to seem too eager.
Aurora: Hey Frankie, it’s me, Aurora.
Frankie: Hiya. Nice to hear from you.
There was a long pause while I stared at my phone, wondering what to write next. I wondered if she was staring at her phone too.
Aurora: So maybe this is weird, but you’re my only friend in Chicago, and we’re not even friend-friends. But can we be? I could really use a friend right now.
Frankie: I have space on my roster for another friend. Do you want to grab a drink sometime and hang out? We can catch up on the last few years.
Aurora: I’d love to. How about tomorrow?
Frankie: Tomorrow works great.
I paused, then asked the question I was dying to ask.
Aurora: Will you be bringing Barbie?
Frankie: I’ve never been one of those women who has to bring their significant other with them everywhere, so no. Why, are you bringing Chris?
Aurora: No.
Frankie: Good.
I stared at my phone some more, wondering what that meant. Then I decided to be honest.
Aurora: The truth is, we’ve been having some problems. I hope you’re the kind of friend who doesn’t mind talking about relationship woes.
Frankie: I’ll listen to yours if you listen to mine.
Aurora: Deal. Does six o’clock work for you?